Source: TOI

JAIPUR: Hundreds of journalists in Jaipur participated in protest march here on Tuesday against the Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendments) Bill that was tabled in the assembly on Monday.

Wearing black bands and holding black placards printed with "Kala Kanoon"(black law), protesting journalists gathered at the Pink City Press Club and started heading for the legislative assembly.

Senior journalist Om Thanvi also joined the journalists in the protest as he arrived here in the morning from Delhi.

In single voice the journalists and leaders of various journalist association said that Bill is completely unjustified and muzzles the freedom of press.
"We will not tolerate dictatorship and forcibly imposed emergency. Writing against corrupt officials is not a crime," said L L Sharma, president of Pink City Press Club.

Many other journalists said that no government can seize their Constitutional right.
While the journalists reached at the north gate of the assembly, they were stopped by police and were briefly detained. All of them were, however, released by the police later.

"The Bill is already sent to the select committee following severe criticism from people, activists, lawmakers and lawyers. We hope that committee will protect the rights of the journalists," Sharma added.

The state government, in the current legislative session, passed an ordinance that protects both serving and former judges, magistrates and public servants in the state from being investigated for on-duty action without prior sanction. The ordinance also sought to bar the media from reporting on accusations against judges and bureaucrats till the sanction to proceed with the probe is obtained. The ordinance is an amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.